Implementation
The four intervention schools began using the software
after the half-term break at the beginning of November
2009, and the study was completed in May 2010. The
schools had been using the software for 20 weeks when
post-intervention testing was conducted. The length of the
project was dictated by available time rather than any other
criteria. However, the issue of how long is needed on a
phonics intervention is by no means clear and it seems
reasonable to suggest that individual needs would more
adequately dictate time spent on any intervention. Indeed,
Torgerson, Brooks and Hall (2006) were unable to provide
guidance on how much time children should spend
on systematic phonics. For the purposes of this research
project, therefore, the timescale was the same for all
children.